Like a baseball closer, he waits until the late innings to come into the game. He follows the coach around sporting a clipboard and baseball cap. But unlike most backup quarterbacks, Rob Callahan has actually had an opportunity to play. Although he has not started one game for winless Holy Cross this season, Callahan has made an appearance in every contest. With the offense struggling, Crusader coach Peter Vaas has found himself looking over his shoulder and calling for No. 14 more than ever. And now, facing the Quakers Saturday, Callahan will finally get his chance to start. "It feels pretty good," he said. "This is when the work finally pays off. It's been a little frustrating, but you have to accept the decisions made by the coaches and take advantage of your opportunities when they come." This is how Callahan has been approaching his role throughout his career. As a freshman, his playing time was limited to the junior varsity squad. As a sophomore, he took only four snaps. But after starting quarterback Andy Fitzpatrick suffered a season-ending knee injury against Bucknell last year, Callahan led the previously 1-6 Crusaders to a 2-2 mark the rest of the season. But then in the spring, Fitzpatrick was handed his starting job again. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Fitzpatrick appears to be the ideal size for quarterback. And during the 1993 campaign, he had completed 55.6 percent of his passes, including six touchdowns without an interception. However, in 1994, the offense has not been producing. Against Army, the Crusaders scored no points. Against Massachusetts, they produced three points. And against Yale, they were outscored by 25 points. After not landing the ball in the end zone during the first half last week against Harvard, Vaas called for Callahan. "The offense just wasn't moving the ball," Callahan said. "I'm glad the team responded to me when I came in. We were able to move the ball pretty well." Callahan orchestrated two second-half touchdowns against the Crimson. After that, Vaas gave Callahan the nod for this weekend's matchup. "It's just a change," Holy Cross quarterbacks coach Tom Caito said. "We need to get some spark into our offense. Callahan moved the ball against Harvard. He scored two touchdowns. He's doing a good job." But Callahan's success to date has led to a quarterback controversy in Worcester, Mass. Fitzgerald was the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 1992; Callahan sat on the sidelines. Fitzgerald excelled last season; Callahan waited for his opportunity to shine. Now the roles are reversed. "I don't know if there is a controversy," Callahan said. "We just scored a couple touchdowns when I was in there. The team needs a couple changes, so the coaches are trying some different things. "We've stayed friendly. You can't let it bother you. We're both competitive, but we just don't let it get involved in our personal relationship." Saturday, Callahan will have to concentrate on the Quaker defense. He will have to watch for Michael Turner coming in from the outside. He will have to watch for Jamie Daniels covering the Crusader wide receivers. But Callahan's greatest threat may be waiting on the bench, sporting a baseball cap with clipboard in hand.
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